Packaging machine



March 15, 1960 sM 2,928,221

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Nov. 8. 1955 Fig.2

Henry R. Smith INVENTOR.

I Mm 4 BY M /fizzy,

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 15, 1960 H. R. SMITH 2,928,221

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Nov. 8. 1955 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 7

Fig.4

Ill)? Henry R. Smith INVENTOR.

Mm EH United States, PatentO" 2,9 ,221 PACKAGING MACHINE Henry R. Smith, Amelia, Ohio, assignor to Henry R. Smith and Ethel Margaret Smith, Amelia, Ghio, ointly Application November 8, 1955, Serial No. 545,613

2 Claims. (Cl. 53 --182) This invention relates in general to a new and useful improvement in packaging machines and method and more particularly relates to an improved mach ne and method of packaging relating to packages formed, offoil sheet wherein the individual packages are formed from the sheet in a continuous operation. The primary object of this invention is to provide improved packaging machine for forming small packages in a continuous operation from elongated strips vof material, the packages being automatically formed by first Another object of this invention is to provide an improved packaging machine wherein a conveyor is utilized as the prme source of movement for the machine, the conveyor being provided with openings for facilitating the punching of pockets into a first strip overlying the conveyor, the conveyor moving the pockets together with the strip of material along the entire machine whereby the pockets may be filled and sealed with another strip of material and then the completed packages cut from the strip and eventually removed from the conveyor.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method of forming packages from elongated strips of material, the method being of a nature whereby an extremely simple machine may be utilized.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accorn, panying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the packaging machine which is the subject of'this inventon and showsthe general details of the various components thereof, a side member of the frame for the machine being omitted for purposes of clarity; V

Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse fragmentary sectional view taken through the punch portion of the machine and shows the manner in which individual pockets are formed in a first strip of material in the first step of forming a package with the machine;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of Figure 1 and shows the manner in which a second strip. is secured to the first strip and simultaneously cut together with the first strip for forming individual packages out of the two strips;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the packaging machine of Figure 1 and shows the same in the process of forming packages;

2,928,221 Patented Mar. 15;, 196i) Figureiis. an enlarged end view of the combined sealing and cuttermember with portions thereof broken away and shown in section 'in orderto clearly illustrate the specific details thereof;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken. substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 6-6 of Figure 3 and shows the specific re-v lationship between the conveyor, the two strips of material; forming the package, and the combined sealing and cuttermember during a, sealing and cutting operation; and v Figure 1 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view similar to Figure Z-and shows a modified form of conveyor and punch member.

Referringnow to the drawings; in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated the packaging machine which is the subject of this invention, the machine being referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The machine 10,include,s a base; frame which is referred to in general by the reference numeral'12.- The base frame lz in'cludes a pair of side plates 14 and'16Which may be either solid or fabricated. The side plates 14 and 16 will be suitably connected togetherinto a rigid unit.

Carried by an intermediate portion of the base frame l2 is an endless conveyor which is referred to in general f by the reference numeral 18. The conveyor 18 includes a first-roller- 20 which may be considered an idler roller. The roller 20 is carried by a shaft 22 which extends between and is suitably journfilled with respect to the side plates 14 and 16.

The conveyor 18 also includes a second roller 24 which may be considered the drive roller. The drive roller 24 is spaced longitudinally with respect to the idler roller 20 and is mounted on a shaft 26 which; is suitably journalled for rotation with respect to the side plates 14 and 16.

I Extending between and over the rollers 20 and 24 is an endless conveyor belt; 28.

Mounted at the extreme left end of the base frame 12,

' as viewed in Figure 1, is a roll of thin foilmaterial, the

roller being referred to by the reference numeral 30. The roller 30 is mounted on a suitable shaft 32, journalled with respect to the side plates 14 and 16. The roll of material 30 when dispensed forms a first strip of material,

the strip being referred to by the reference numeral 34.

It is preferred that the material of the roll 30 be formed of aluminum foil although other materials could: be t lized- Extending between the side plates 14 and 16 and mounted immediately adjacent the material 30 is a guide plate 36. The guide plate 36 is aligned with the upper surface of the conveyor belt 28 and serves to guide e fir t str p 34 the Disposed slightly in advance of the shaft 22 and above the upper surface of the conveyor belt 28 is a shaft 38. The shaft 3.8 extendsbetween the sideplates 14 and 16 and is; suitably journalled therein. The shaft 38 carries a punch member which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 40. The punch member 40 includes a ver'sely and longitudinally spaced openings. 46.. The

openings 46 conform in size generally to the cross seca n Q h punch finge s 4 y a ls s p iti ned so. as to be aligned with thepunch fingers 44when the. conyor belt .8 is m v d in ed r a on h resp ct to? the rotat on or he punch, m mb 2 As the first strip 34 passes under the punch member 40 together with the conveyor belt 28, there is punched by 2,928,221 r a v what may be considered extrusion punching from the first strip 34 through the openings 46 which function as dies, a plurality of pockets 48. The pockets 48 are of a size for receiving the article of material to be packaged.

Mounted to the right of the punch member 40 and carried by the base frame 12 is a dispenser which is referred to in general by the reference numeral50. The dispenser 50 includes a suitable hopper 52 having a discharge pipe 54 which is closed by an automatically controlled closure plate 56. It is to be understood that the closure plate 56' is moved to'an open position in timed relation with the movement of the pockets 48 through the discharge pipe 54. The structure of the dispenser 50 will vary depending on whether it is desired to dispense unit elements or certain quantities of material into the pockets 48.

In cases where loose material is dispensed into the pockets 48, it will be desirable to provide suitable means for the removal of excess material and levelling the material dispensed in the pockets 48.- This is accomplished by a suitable brush 58 which is carried by a shaft 60 which may be'either journalled between the side plates 14 and 16 or portions of the dispenser 50. Aligned with the brush 58 is a chute 62 which leads back into the hopper 52. The brush 58 will level off material dispensed into the pockets 48 and any excess material will be forced back up through the chute 62 and to the hopper 52.

Referring once again to Figure 1 in particular, it will be seen that there is disposed to the right of the brush 58 a shaft 64. Carried by the shaft 64 is a roll of material, the roll being referred to by reference numeral 66, The material 66 is preferably formed of a transparent plastic material although it may also be'in the form of aluminum foil, the same as the roll 30. The material dispensed from the roll 66 will form a second strip which is referred to by the reference numeral 68. When dispensed from the roll 66, a second strip 68 will overlie the first strip 34 and form covers for the pocket 48.

Disposed to the right of the shaft 64 is a shaft 70. The

shaft 70 is also suitably journalled in the side plates 14 and 16. Carried by the shaft 70 is a combined sealing and cutting member which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 72 and which is heated. Referring now to Figures 3 and in particular, it will be seen that the combined sealing and cutting member 72 includes a central hub 74 which is mounted on the shaft 70. Extending from the hub 74 is a plurality of radially disposed transverse fingers 76.

Intersecting the transverse fingers 76 is a plurality of transverse annular ribs 78 which are disposed at opposite ends of the hub 74 and at intermediate points. The transverse fingers 76 and the transverse ribs 78 are so spaced so as to be aligned with the peripheries of the pockets 48. As the conveyor belt 28 passes under the combined sealing and cutting member 27, the transverse fingers 76 and ribs 78 engage the upper surface of the second strip 68 about the periphery of the pockets 48 and serves to heat seal the strip 68 and the strip 34, as is best illustrated in Figure 6. Carried by each of the transmitting fingers 76 and projecting outwardly therefrom is a cutter 80. Also, carried by each of the transverse ribs 78 is an annular cutter 82, the cutters 80 and 82 intersecting each other, as is best illustrated in Figure 3.

In view of the cutters 80 and 82 being carried by the transverse fingers 76 and transverse ribs 78, respectively. it :will be readily apparent that the individual packages, which will be referred to by the reference numeral 84 will be cut from the strips 68 and 34 simultaneously with the sealing of the strip 68 to the strip 34. To facilitate the-cutting of the packages 84 from the strip 34 and 68, the conveyor belt 28 forms a back up for the cutters 80 and 82. The conveyor belt 28 is backed up at they point of cutting and sealing by resilient support fingers 86, which are best illustrated in Figure 6. The support fingers 86 may be suitably carried by the side plates 14 and 16 in any desired manner.

Referring once again to Figure 1 in particular, it will be seen that carried by the upper right hand portion of the side plates 14 and 16 and suitably journalled therein is a shaft 88. Carried by the shaft 88 is a hub 90 on which there is reeled the unused portion of the strip 68. Immediately after the packages 84 have been cut from the strip 68, the strip 68 is elevated above the strip 34 and the conveyor belt 28 and is reeled upon the hub 90.

The first strip 34 continues along with the conveyor belt 28 and passes downwardly over the roller 24. If desired, it may be wound upon a suitable hub (not shown) for storage purposes.

In order that the packages 84 may be removed from the conveyor belt 28 and the first strip 34, there is mounted beneath the conveyor belt 28 immediately adjacent the roller 24 a ramp )2. The ramp 92 may be connected to the resilient strip 86 furnishing support therefor. As the packages 84, after being cut from the strips 34 and 68, engage the ramp 92 they are forced upwardly so that when the conveyor belt 28 goes around the roller 24, they will be dumpedout upon a suitable chute 94 disposed at the right hand end of the roller 24, as is best illustrated in Figure 1.

If desired, the packages 84 may be dumped into any desired hopper (not shown) or may be disposed upon a conveyor belt 96 which has one end portion thereof mounted on a suitable roller 98. The roller 98 is carried by a shaft'108 which extends between the side plates 14 and 16 and is suitably journalled therein.

The various components of the packaging machine 10 may be driven in any desired manner. However, there has been illustrated a simplified drive means which may be utilized if desired. This drive means includes aligned pulleys 102 and 104 on the shafts 38 and 88, respectively. Entrained over the pulleys 102 and 104 for driving the same is a drive belt 106. Thus, the shaft 88 may be driven in response to the rotation of the shaft 38.

Carried by the shaft 38 is a second pulley 108 which is aligned with the pulley 110 on the shaft 60. Entrained over the pulleys 108 and 110 is a crossed drive belt 112 for rotating the shaft 60 in an opposite direction from the rotation of the shaft 38 so that the brush 58 may be rotated in a direction opposite to the movement of the first strip 34. V

Carried by the shaft 88 is a pulley 114 which is aligned with a pulley 116 mounted on the shaft 70. Entrained over the pulleys 114 and 116 is a drive belt 118 whereby the combined sealing and cutter member 72 may be driven.

' A third pulley 120 is carried by the shaft 88. Aligned with the pulley 120 is a pulley 122 carried by the shaft 26. Entrained over the pulleys 120 and 122 is a crossed drive belt 124 for driving the roller 24 in its proper direction.

The shaft 26 includes a second pulley 126 which is aligned with the pulley 128 on the shaft 100. Entrained over the pulleys 126 and 128 is a drive belt 130 for driving the conveyor belt 96.v

It is to be understood that the sizes of the various pulleys will be such so as to synchronize all movement of v as the various, components of the packaging machine 10. Further, while there has not been disclosed a drive for any of the components, it is tobe understood that a suitable motor may be connected to'any one of the various shafts. Further, it may be necessary for the hub to have a slip connection with the shaft 88 to accommodate for the increasing size of the roll of the second strip 68 being formed on the hub 90.

Referring now to Figure 7 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a modified form of punch member which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 132. The punch member 132 is mounted on a shaft 134 which isidentical to the shaft 38.. The shaft 134 issuitably journalled in the side plates 14 between which it extends.

The punch member 132, like the punch member 40,

includes a hub 136 which is mounted on the shaft 134 for rotation therewith. Extending rearwardly from the hub 136 are annular rows of circumferentially and-transversely spaced elements of fingersj138, 140 and 142. The punch elements 138, 140 and 142 vary in width in the direction longitudinally of the hub 136, but are of the same dimension circumferentially of the hub 136 whereby pockets 144, 146 and 148 of various sizes may be'formed in the first strip 34. 7

When utilizing the punch member 132, it will be necessarythat the conveyor belt 28 be replaced with a conveyor belt 150. The conveyor belt 150 will differ from the conyeyor belt 28 only in the size of the openings 152,

154 and 156 formed therein to receive the pockets 144,

146 and 148, respectively. The incorporation of the punch member 132 in the packaging machine 10 will H require no other alterations in the machine.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A packaging machine comprising a conveyor of the endless belt type having a subst'antially'horizontal upper run, spacedopenings in said'conveyor, a first strip dispenser mounted adjacent one end of said conveyor for supplying a first strip of packaging material to said conveyor in overlying relation, punch means overlying said conveyor adjacent one end and cooperating with said conveyor to force portions of said first strip through said openings to form pockets, a material dispenser overlying said conveyor adjacent said punch means for" filling said pockets, a second strip dispenser overlying said conveyor adjacent said material dispenser for applying a second strip of packaging material, to said first strip in overlying relation relative thereto, means cooperating with said conveyor for sealing said second strip to said first strip to form seals of packages, means cooperating with said conveyor for cutting individual flanged packages'from said strips with the flanges of said packages supporting said packages from said conveyor, means removing the excess portions of said second strip and leaving said packages and said first strip on said conveyor, ejector means underlying said upper conveyor runand engageable with said packages for lifting said packages from said conveyor, and means for finally removing said first strip from said conveyor.

,2. A packaging machine comprising a conveyor of the endless belt type having a substantially horizontal upper run, spaced openings in said conveyor, a first strip dispenser mounted adjacent one end of said conveyor for supplying a first strip of packaging material to said conveyor in overlying relation, punch means overlying said conveyor adjacentone end and cooperating with said conveyor to force portions of said first strip through said openings to form pockets, a material dispenser overlying said conveyor adjacent said punch means for filling said pockets, means cooperating with said material dispenser and conveyor for leveling the material in said pockets and for returning excess material to said material dispenser, a second strip dispenser overlying said conveyor adjacent said material dispenser for applying 'a second strip of packaging material to said first strip in overlying relation relative thereto, means cooperating with said conveyor for sealing said second strip to said first strip to form seals of packages, means cooperating References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,481,866. Heist Jan. 29, 1924 1,970,396 Scherer Aug. 14, 1934 2,530,306 Land Nov. 14, 1950 2,546,059 Cloud Mar. 20, 1951 2,624,164 Donofrio Jan. 6, 1953 2,697,311 Stirn et al Dec. 21, 1954 2,736,150 Loew Feb. 28, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 461,794 Germany Iune29, 1928 

